Jeremy, A+++++++++ What can I say, as a Librarian I would rate your site as extremely informative and in your MultiMadrid tradition, user friendly!
Among its positive points are: #1. Ease of use is outstanding. USER FRIENDLY! #2. Informative! Not only do you provide factual information, but you provide the links, and your forte, photographs that visually explain to the user what the narrative has said, you cannot beat that!Now I know what the phone kiosk looks like! # 3. Logically arranged for the user. This is excellent! Everything you wanted to know about transportation issues is in that section! #4. Content is informative and factual. You've covered areas that the user can readily use in planning his/her trip. There are many sites with accommodations info., but few with information about the post office and the steps in getting a stamp and mailing a letter, telling you that you can use the Corte Ingl�s is something that only a Madrile�o would know! The discussion on Money was also useful for tourists.
Enf�n a wonderlful addition to your spectacular website. It truly makes MultiMadrid shine!
What you might think about adding? Suggestions: A search function might be nice, but not necessary at this time. Definately a section on my favorite subject "SHOPPING"! And perhaps a "Sports" section for the futbol and Toros enthusiasts!
Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001
Hola Booklady, thanks for the ego-builder & thanks for the A+++++++++
Hmmmm... the way that my website is set up makes a search function a bit difficult to put in. I really think it is sooo easy to get around the web that that function would be superfluous. No?
Thanks for the suggestions on the shopping and "f�tbol" sections, all in due time . There is only so much little old me can do on my own (and still work my "normal job").
I will add those sections to my loooooong list of thing to add to my site.
All I would like to say is that without this site I would be lost in my attempt to plan a trip to Spain. I have found so many links and informative articles, that I feel so much better coming over to visit (again) next year! Now I need to brush up on my Spanish, once I have done that I will have no worries.
Again, nice job on the site. And please, NEVER take it down, EVER!
I would just like to add one thing about money changing. I found that I got ripped off all the time!
I went to a bank, recommended by our tour guide, and they said the minimum commission for cashing a $20 travelers check was 1000 pts.!!! The "Cambio" shops weren't much better, I think the best rate I got was 3300 pts. for $20, and that was at El Corte Ingles. I think next year I'll charge everything on my credit card, and save some aggravation.
Ben (who says it's never too early to start planning the next trip ) pbchamp@intercom.net
There's only two things you need to travel. ATM cards and credit cards. It covers all your needs. By cashing ATM amounts of $50 to $100 at a pop, you save a fortune in exchange charges, and you always have the cash you need. Since both give the best available exchange rates, why would anyone use anything else?
The days of exchanging money at banks, and carrying thousands of dollars in travelers checks is history.... it's the 21st century.
JP
Posts: 121 | Location: x | Registered: 21 June 2001
Hi JP Savage, You just answered my question! I was going to take cash with me, but if Visas and Mastercards are accepted averywhere I think I'll just bring a small amount and charge the rest. I don't have an ATM card, do you think I'll need one if I take two credit cards with me?
Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001
I believe the ATM card is a great thing to carry. There's always a need to have a few dollars in local currency in your pocket, so it works well. Also, many credit card companies charge very high rates for cash taken through a machine, versus the cash used in a purchase transaction.
Yes, ATM cards (actually VISA check cashing cards) are a good option along with the credit cards. I like having the cash available whenever I need it...
JP
Posts: 121 | Location: x | Registered: 21 June 2001
Hey Ben, not to worry, I plan on passing this website on to my kids, them to their kids, etc... So as long as Madrid exists, so will multimadrid
Sorry you got ripped on those money changes, truth is that not many people only change $20 at a time, the more you change the less comission you get charged and the better rate you get as well. So, if you change only $20, you may be charged 1,000 pesetas but if you change $100, the bank will take .02% of the amount changed (in this case a measly $2) + their 1,000 pesetas for the transaction. So you see, the problem was in wanting to change only $20. They will NEVER charge 1,000 pesetas on every $20 you change.
I really do not think the "Change Houses" are better than the banks but I guess that is up to eachindividual traveller.
Rumor has it that with the departure of the peseta and the "euro takeover", the Change Houses will begin to charge more for the dollar, yen, puond, and other not EU currencies. THey are saying that they will need to do so in order to make up for the huge loss on the changing of many European currencies which will no longer be needed.
JP, thanks! You are soooo right on the money (no pun intended ) when you recommend the ATM and credit cards. It has been a long time since I was in Spain as a tourist but whenever I go abroad, I just bring the trusty VISA credit card and my debit/ATM card as well.
One thing to keep in mind. In Spain, the most accepted card is VISA (BY FAR!) and the less accepted cards are Mastercard, American Express, etc... Most major stores accept them all but you may find that smaller shops and restaurants will not take American Express. For example, there is a sign out in front of "Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas" at the foot of the ARCO DE CUCHILLEROS in the PLAZA MAYOR stating, "We do not accept American Express". ANd that being one of the most touristy restaurnats in Madrid.
Another word to the wise, do not assume that your ATM card will work in all the machines here. When I was studying here yearts ago, I used to withdraw on an account in the U.S. (a mid sized bank) and even though my ATM card had the correct systems on it (cirrus, master, etc...), it would only work in a few machines around Madrid (in Barclay's Bank for some reason).
Lesson - it is good to bring some cash/or travellers checks as well. It may be the 21st century but machines are still just that, MACHINES
I would say credit cards are the best way to go as well.
Booklady, If I were you I would make sure I could take out cash on my credit card at a decent rate. If you can then ytou will not need an ATM card as well. I know for sure that I can take out cash on my VISA card anywhere in the world.
Mastercard is pretty well accepted here but as I mentioned above, your VISA card will be your best weapon
Most VISA credit cards charge a double rate of interest. One, which is low, for purchases, and an interest rate nearly double the normal for cash advances. That can be costly.
Also, the best way to avoid any problem with the ATM card working in Europe is to insure that the ATM card is a VISA check cashing card, which gives it the same clout as a VISA card. Most of them in the U.S. have already been converted to that basis already, so it's pretty easy to insure you have the right card.
Since you don't have to worry about acceptance of VISA cards (I never recommend Am. Express for Europe), you won't need any money in travelers checks.
JP
Posts: 121 | Location: x | Registered: 21 June 2001
Just to confirm, I had no trouble using my Visa checkcard anywhere this past summer. In three weeks, I used it a lot -- in Segovia, Guadarrama, Madrid, Toledo. Except for one ATM that was out of service, it was "just like home." (Well, actually that one too
)
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
) 
Rumor has it that with the departure of the peseta and the "euro takeover", the Change Houses will begin to charge more for the dollar, yen, puond, and other not EU currencies. THey are saying that they will need to do so in order to make up for the huge loss on the changing of many European currencies which will no longer be needed.
